What do you choose?

Well, I buy the watches that I like and not for accuracy, having said that, if it is also COSC certified it is a plus for me.

Looks trump accuracy, so long as accuracy isn't atrocious.

A basic quartz watch will beat almost any mechanical watch for accuracy, so clearly accuracy isn't the driving factor in most luxury watch purchases.

If I really wanted to play it safe, I'd buy a TAG Aquaracer Solargraph. The accuracy and reliability of solar quartz, with a well recognized brand name. Most people not deep into watches have a positive opinion of TAG.

Accuracy is a big deal to me. I don't know why, it just is. Luckily with that budget you can buy a watch that is both accurate and good looking. Omega and Tudor with METAS certified movements and Grand Seiko with Spring Drive and quartz movements.

Option C: intriguing history/story

One of the Sinns or a Damasko, probably. Can be dressed up or down and boasting 200m of water resistance and reasonably accurate. What's not to love for a secret agent?

Looks always trump accuracy. If I don't like the way it looks then it can enjoy it's accuracy in the box, it's not getting any wrist time. If I need to know the time to the second then I can get my phone out.

Both looks AND accuracy. Don’t need $10k, just get a GShock 🤣

I like to satisfy both requirements.

I almost put G Shock as an option but I knew most here would vote for that option. Well played my friend well played.

It's sort of a catch 22. In the ideal world you want both, looks and accuracy. As someone has already mentioned, any $50 quartz watch will be more accurate than the most accurate mechanical watch on the planet. So why are there luxury watches? Whey aren't they all quartz? Because people are also fascinated with mechanical movements, and in some cases the build quality, history of the company, and appearance are much more important than accuracy. Others will disagree, and say that accuracy in a luxury watch is the primary factor. Its' very much a personal decision. So back to your dilemma. It's really difficult to give suggestions without some guidance as to the preferences of the recipient. If you are just looking for good brands that have watches in this price range there are plenty: Omega, Tag Heuer, Grand Seiko, Zenith, Glashutte Original, Carl F. Bucherer, Frederique Constant, Jaeger LeCoultre.

I buy them a skmei quartz and take the remaining money and head to my AD. It's a no brainer.

Get both plus a large added bonus ;-)

If you're a secret agent then I presume accuracy would be more important. You'd want an innocuous watch that wouldn't draw any attention but would be reliable and accurate for spy stuff...

Did anyone read the question? First of all, why are we secret agents? But, as nobody has addressed, the watch is for someone else. Buy to spec. Looks are somewhat subjective. If they bitch about anything you can at least say "it's accurate to 3 nanoseconds per fortnight" and shut them up. Besides, why do I want them to have a watch whose looks I like?

For 10k$ the watch will be accurate ( hopefully ) and if in doubt go with quartz. Hence design prevails

This is the correct answer.

Get a Spring Drive was an awesome dial and you are king of the world. Here is an idea to match with your elf suit:

A secret agent should know the correct time!

At that price I’d expect… both?

Best looks but if that’d a $10k luxury watch it will be plenty accurate anyway. I don’t need to wear an atomic clock and cell phones are extremely accurate anyway.

Okay ... so now my covers blown?

Thanks Joker007! 😒

No more answers needed; I've PM'd him and said I want an FW91 and the $9990 cash ... I need it for my escape. 🤷🏻

What is my cover? What is the other secret agent's cover? Where are we stationed?

for 10k, buy a zenith and get both.

I wear a different watch almost every day. As long as it’s not off by a minute at the end of the day, I don’t care.

If I'm buying for another secret agent, then accuracy would take priority. Looks trump accuracy any day of the week for me. See: Edox that has decided to start running ten minutes slow per day.

Well you could be a secret agent who goes under cover to expensive charity balls or who needs to blend with wealthy hype types... 🤷

Not all grand Seiko are created equal. Yes, you can get one with both good looks and good accuracy bet the BEST looking GS won't be the BEST accuracy GS.

A Secret agent would have more context and information with which to make a more informed decision.

Yes, I was violated 🥺🙄

Accuracy for the win. Disregard Hollywood, secret agents need to blend in and be on time. Wearing a flashy watch, be it a Rolex or an Invicta, is sure to draw attention - something secret agents abhor because it’ll get them killed. Secret agents also abhor missing rendezvous with their sources or coming up on comms to report in with their headquarters.